Plans for new Ann Arbor Road LaFontaine dealership OK’d
Members of the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees will soon consider a plan for the development of a new LaFontaine Chevrolet dealership at the former site of Bennigan’s restaurant on Ann Arbor Road.
Plans for the new construction include a full-service dealership building along with a detailing and storage building and large lot for vehicles. The site plan was approved by a 5-2 vote of the Plymouth Township Planning Commission during the March 18 meeting. The approval is contingent on lighting adjustments, contributions to the township tree fund and changes to the façade on one of the buildings, requested by planning commissioners.
Max Muncey, corporate communications director for LaFontaine, said the goal is to make the new building the “Number one Chevrolet dealership in the entire world.”
LaFontaine acquired the former Lou LaRiche Chevrolet dealership in 2023 and that Plymouth Road building will remain open and will be used for vehicle service, used vehicle sales and internal operations, Muncey said.
Construction for the new facility will be completed in
two three phases, according to plans submitted to the planning commissioners. First, a new 52,000 square foot dealership building will be construction on the 3.5 acres of property on Ann Arbor Road. Following will be the construction of a 22,000 square foot detailing and storage building and vehicle lot on 9.5 acres behind the dealership building.
Some existing trees will be preserved, and a 60-foot buffer and new landscaping are planned to protect residential neighbors from noise and lighting at the building. Gary Laundroche, corporate facilities manager for LaFontaine, said the plan submitted met all township ordinance requirements and incorporates changes to accommodate concerns of nearby neighbors. He noted the buffer increased, a dumpster enclosure moved, landscaping added and noise reducing features were in the revised plans submitted.
No planned date for construction was announced as the plans now move forward for consideration by the board of trustees.
